Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SHAVING RAZOR SYSTEM INCLUDING SKIN INTERCONNECT MEMBER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shaving razor system, and more particularly
to a shaving
razor system including at least one skin interconnect member.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Razor cartridges are designed to cut or shave a user' s hair. The cartridges
include one or
more blades having at least one sharpened edge. The blades are held in place
by what is commonly
referred to as a housing. The housing typically includes one or more features
to improve the overall
shaving experience. Such common features include a guard which is located on
the housing in
front of the blades and a cap which is located behind the blades. The guard
often includes an
elastomeric member and the cap often includes a lubricating strip of some
kind.
On the market today are a vast number of razor cartridge configurations. Some
have big
guards, some have smaller guards, some guards have elastomeric members with
fins while others
have elastomeric members with depressions and some guards have lubricating
strips. Similarly,
some razor cartridges have big caps, some have smaller caps, and some caps
have a lubricating
strip. Most razors today provide skin benefits directly on the razor cartridge
via the cap, the
lubricating strip, soap elements, and/or skin engaging elastomeric fin
elements.
Most wet shaving systems available today use these types of razor cartridges
that attach to
a handle. After a blade within the razor cartridge becomes dull, the razor
cartridge may be disposed
of and a new razor cartridge may be attached to the same handle. Users
typically hold onto their
handles for a very long time. A variety of techniques have been used for
attaching razor cartridges
to handles. Most techniques include attaching the razor cartridge to the
handle in a way that allows
the razor cartridge to pivot in a controlled manner, about its major axis.
Pivotal attachment of the
razor cartridge allows the blade or blades mounted in the razor cartridge to
follow skin surface
contours independently of the handle orientation. The razor cartridge is
pivotal between limits and
ordinarily is biased toward a preferred neutral angular position vis-a-vis the
handle. A variety of
techniques have been used for detaching razor cartridges to handles. Most
techniques include a
cartridge eject mechanism mounted on the handle that is spaced next to the
razor cartridge when
the handle is attached to the cartridge. The pivot functionality disposed on a
razor cartridge and the
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pivot functionality and the cartridge ejection mechanism between a razor
cartridge and a handle is
costly and complex to manufacture.
Moreover, in order to meet the demands of consumers, numerous cartridge
designs have
been configured. The numerous designs come at a cost however as much effort is
spent on each
design. That is, each cartridge is designed from scratch such that none of the
molds and production
equipment used to make one cartridge can be utilized to make a cartridge of a
different design. For
example, the molds and production equipment used to make the Gillett& m
Mach31m razor cartridge
could not be used to make the GilletteTM FusionTM razor cartridge. This
results in higher cost as
product design, molding and production equipment have to be executed
separately for each
product.
Thus, there is a need for an alternative overall razor design to reduce cost
and effort to
produce different razor cartridges to meet the demands of consumers.
Ideally, one would like to start with a standard blade unit that houses the
blades that is
capable of quick, easy, intuitive, and safe attachment to a handle. However,
there is also a need to
have a razor cartridge that is pivotal relative to the handle, but that is
less complex and less costly
to manufacture and assemble.
One could then have the flexibility to use various configurations of handles
to the standard
blade unit or to a small number of standard blade units. It is an object of
the invention to provide
the desired skin benefits as a pivoting part of the handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a razor handle having a proximal end
portion, a distal
end portion, and at least one skin interconnect member, the skin interconnect
member in pivotal
relation to the proximal end portion of the handle. A first plane B is
parallel to a topmost point on
a top surface of the at least one skin interconnect member. A second plane Q
is at a rearward most
point of a rearward surface of the at least one skin interconnect member. The
rearward most point
lies within 2 mm from the first plane B, and the second plane Q is
perpendicular to the first plane
B and the second plane Q and the first plane B intersect at point C. The pivot
point P of a rotational
axis of the at least one skin interconnect member is in a region which is up
to about 2 mm in front
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of a point C, up to about 12.5 mm behind point C, up to about 2 mm above the
first plane B, and
up to about 2.5 mm below the first plane B.
In one aspect, the pivoting mechanism of the pivotal relation is formed only
of components
comprised within the razor handle. The handle includes a mass of about 57
grams to about 150
grams.
In another embodiment, the at least one skin interconnect member includes a
trapezoidal
prism shape. Further, the at least one skin interconnect member has a length
from about 20 mm to
about 40 mm, a width from about 1.5 mm to about 5 mm, a volume greater than
about 300 mm3, a
top surface area of about 40 min2 to about 120 min2, or any combination
thereof. The at least one
skin interconnect member includes a fluid element, a thermal element, a skin
scrubbing element, a
hair trimmer, an epilator, or any combination thereof. The at least one skin
interconnect member
has a skin interfacing surface.
In yet another aspect, the pivotal relation of the skin interconnect member to
a proximal
end portion of the handle includes one or more sliding contact hearings. The
pivotal relation of
the skin interconnect member to a proximal end portion of the handle includes
one or more rolling
element bearings.
Still further embodiments include an order of physical connection of
components where
the razor cartridge is connected to the skin interconnect member, the skin
interconnect member
connected to a mechanism to enable rotation about axis Al, the axis Al
mechanism connected to
a mechanism to enable rotation about axis A4 and/or axis A3 and/or an axis A2,
the axis A4
mechanism and/or the axis A3 mechanism and/or axis A2 mechanism connected to
the handle.
The order of physical connection of components includes the razor cartridge
connected to the skin
interconnect member, the skin interconnect member connected to a mechanism to
enable rotation
about axis A4 and/or axis A3 and/or axis A2, the axis A4 mechanism and/or the
axis A3 mechanism
and/or axis A2 mechanism connected to a mechanism to enable rotation about
axis Al, the axis Al
mechanism connected to the handle. The order of physical connection of
components includes the
razor cartridge connected to the skin interconnect member, the skin
interconnect member
connected to a mechanism to enable rotation about axis Al, axis A2, axis A3,
and/or axis A4, the
axis Al mechanism, the axis A2 mechanism, axis A3 mechanism, and/or the axis
A4 mechanism
coupled to connect to the handle.
4
In one aspect, the mechanism to enable rotation about axis Al includes one or
more rolling
element bearings. The mechanism to enable rotation about axis Al includes one
or more rolling
element bearings. The mechanism to enable rotation about axis Al includes one
or more rolling
element bearings.
Still further embodiments disclose the handle including a handle neck area and
a handle
main body and the PL1-to-PL2 included angle between shave plane S and midplane
PL2 of the
handle main body is about -60 degrees to +90 degrees. The handle includes a
handle neck area
and a handle main body and the PL1-to-PL2 included angle between shave plane S
and midplane
PL2 of the handle main body is about -45 degrees to +45 degrees. The handle
includes a handle
neck area and a handle main body and the PL2-to-PL3 included angle between
midplane PL2 of
the handle main body and midplane PL3 of the handle neck area is about -100
degrees to +100
degrees. The handle includes a handle neck area and a handle main body and the
PL2-to-PL3
included angle between midplane PL2 of the handle main body and midplane PL3
of the handle
neck area is about -45 degrees to +90 degrees.
The rotational stiffness of the mechanism that enables rotation of the skin
interconnect
member about axis Al is about 0 N-mm/deg to 0.5 N-mm/deg. The rotational
stiffness of at least
one or more of the mechanisms that enable rotation about axis A2, axis A3,
axis A4, axis A5, or
combination thereof is about 0.8 N-mm/deg to about 2.0 N-mm/deg. Still
further, the rotational
stiffness of the pivot mechanism is greater than twice the rotational
stiffness of the pivot
mechanism with the benefit delivery connection disconnected at the proximal
end of the handle
and at the skin interconnect member.
In other aspects, the pivot mechanism that enables rotation of the skin
interconnect member
about axis Al, axis A2, axis A3, axis A4, axis AS, or combination thereof
includes a spring member
and a benefit delivery connection and the spring return element includes a
stress-relaxation-
resistant material including metal, polyetheretherketone, and silicone rubber.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have
the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which
this invention
belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those
described herein can be
used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and
materials are described
below.
Date recue/ date received 2022-02-18
5
In case of conflict, the present specification, including
definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples
are illustrative only
and not intended to be limiting.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the
following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the
accompanying
drawings and the description below. It is understood that certain embodiments
may combine
elements or components of the invention, which are disclosed in general, but
not expressly
exemplified or claimed in combination, unless otherwise stated herein. Other
features and
advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and
drawings.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a shaving razor system including at least one
skin
interconnect member in accordance with the present invention.
FIGs. 1B-C are front and back perspective views of a razor cartridge of the
present
invention.
FIG. ID is a schematic representation of a razor blade of the present
invention.
FIGs. 2A-B shows top and back perspective views of a shaving razor including
at least one
skin interconnect member for delivering a heating or cooling skin benefit in
accordance with the
present invention.
FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the shaving razor handle including at least
one skin
interconnect member for a heating or cooling skin benefit shown in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 2D is a close-up perspective view of the skin interconnect member of the
handle of
that is shown in FIG. 2B.
FIGs. 3A-B shows top and bottom perspective views of a shaving razor including
at least
one skin interconnect member for delivering fluid to provide a skin benefit in
accordance with the
present invention.
FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a shaving razor handle including at least one
skin
interconnect member for delivering fluid to provide a skin benefit in
accordance with the present
invention.
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FIG. 3D is a close-up perspective view of the skin interconnect member of the
handle of
that is shown in FIG. 3B.
FIGs. 4A-4D shows schematic representations of a trapezoidal prism-shaped
element of
the present invention.
FIGs. 5A-5B shows close-up perspective and exploded views of the skin
interconnect
member of the present invention.
FIGs. 6A-6D are perspective views of a shaving razor system showing axes of
movement
and graphical layout of the razor of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the razor system showing a pivot point
region in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the skin interconnect member showing a
pivot point
region in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the skin interconnect member showing a
pivot point
region of FIG. 8.
FIGs. 10A-10H shows schematic representations of the top surface of the razor
cartridge
and skin interconnect member of the present invention.
FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the razor system showing a pivot point
region in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the razor system showing a pivot point
region in
accordance with the present invention.
FIGs. 12A-12G are perspective views of embodiments having various physical
orders of
connection of razor components in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed toward a novel shaving razor array system. The
shaving razor
array system has one or more handles capable of being coupled with one or more
razor cartridges.
Each handle has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and at least one
skin interconnect
member that is in pivotal relation to the proximal end portion. Each razor
cartridge has a housing,
a guard, a cap, and at least one blade. The razor cartridge is releasably
engaged with the at least
one skin interconnect member to replaceably secure the razor cartridge to the
proximal end portion
of the handle.
7
Referring to FIG. 1A, a perspective view of one embodiment of a shaving razor
system 10
is shown. The shaving razor system 10 includes a handle 12 and a razor
cartridge 15 which is
removably connected to the handle. The handle 12 includes an elongated
gripping portion 14, a
proximal end portion 16, a distal end portion 18, and at least one skin
interconnect member 20.
The handle 12 may comprise a handle neck area 23 and a handle main body 21.
The handle neck
area 23 may be incorporated at the proximal end portion 16. The handle neck
area 23 may connect
the main body 21 to the razor cartridge 15. A gripping portion 14 may be
incorporated with the
handle main body 21.
The handle 12 provides one or more pivot motions for the at least one skin
interconnect
member 20. The pivot Al axis of at least one the pivot motion is usually
generally transverse to
the handle. It should be noted that the razor cartridge 15 of the present
invention does not comprise
a pivot mechanism in and of itself. Also, the interface between the razor
cartridge 15 and the handle
12 of the present invention does not comprise a pivot mechanism in and of
itself. However, when
the razor cartridge 15 is connected to the handle 12 via the skin interconnect
member 20, the skin
interconnect member 20 and the razor cartridge 15 are locked together and
while they do not pivot
relative to one another, they pivot together relative to the handle 12.
The handle 12 may be of any suitable shape. The handle 12, for example, may be
an
elongated barrel shape or may be a contoured shape. The handle 12 may include
an elongated
gripping portion. The handle may include one, two, or more arms 27. The arm or
arms 27 may be
located at the proximal end 16 of the handle. The two or more arms 27 may be
spaced apart from
one another. The handle 12 may be, for example, an elongated barrel shape that
includes two arms
27 that are spaced apart and that are located at the proximal end 16 of the
handle 12. The handle
12 may be, for example, a contoured shape that includes two arms 27 that are
spaced apart and that
are located at the proximal end 16 of the handle 27. The handle 12 may be made
from any suitable
material. The handle 12 may be made, for example, from a metal, a polymer, an
elastomer, a
plastic, a thermoplastic, a rubber, any other suitable material, or any
combination thereof. The
handle 12 may be made by any suitable process. The handle 12 may be made, for
example, by
molding, injection molding, insert injection molding, casting, die-casting,
extruding, any other
suitable method, or any combination thereof.
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FIG. 1B-C shows top and bottom views 120a and 120b of a razor cartridge 15 in
accordance
with the present invention. In top view 120a of FIG. 1B, razor cartridge 15
has a housing 32 with
a guard 34, a cap 36, and at least one or more blades 17 having cutting edges
33. The razor cartridge
has a front side 64 and a back side 66. A front blade 62 is the most proximal
blade at the front side
64 of the razor cartridge 15. Adjacent to a front blade 62 is an opening 100
which extends through
the housing 32 from a top surface 67 to a bottom surface 69. The guard 34 or
other features may
he situated between a front blade and the opening. The perimeter 65 of the
opening 100 in the top
surface 64 of the housing 32 is within a range of about 50 mm to about 70 mm,
and preferably
about 66.36 mm.
The razor cartridge 15 is in pivotal relation to the proximal end portion 16
of the handle 12
only when connected with the skin interconnect member 20. The razor cartridge
15 when engaged
with the skin interconnect member 20 may pivot about an axis Al (shown in
FIGs. 1A, 2A, and
3A) that is generally transverse to the handle 12. As shown in FIG. 1A, the
skin interconnect
member 20 of the handle 12 forms a portion of a top surface 67 of the razor
cartridge 15.
FIG. 1C also shows a bottom view 120b of a razor cartridge 15. In one
embodiment, the
opening 100 extends into a bottom surface 69 of the housing 32. The perimeter
63 of the opening
100 at the bottom surface 69 of the housing 32 is preferably larger than
perimeter 65. The perimeter
63 may range from about 75 mm to about 100mm, and preferably be about 81.2 mm.
The opening
100 at the bottom surface of the housing may desirably be wider than the
opening 100 at the top
surface of the housing. Accordingly, a funnel shape (e.g., a shape tapering
from a larger to a
smaller opening) may be achieved.
As shown in FIG. IC, blade 17 of FIG. 1B includes a blade body 4, two bevels 3
for each
of two flanks 5 which intersect at tip 6 forming an edge 7. The term "razor
blade" in the present
invention desirably signifies a "substrate" comprised of stainless steel which
includes a blade body
and at least one flank. Desirably, a razor blade includes two flanks forming a
blade edge and a
blade body. The two flanks intersect at a point or tip, or what is oftentimes
referred to as the
ultimate tip. Each flank may have one, two or more bevels. The blade body is
generally the
remaining area of the razor blade beneath the flanks or bevels.
9
The at least one blade 17 of the razor cartridge 15 may be mounted to the
housing 32
between the cap 36 and the guard 34. The guard and the cap may define a
shaving plane S that is
tangent to the guard and the cap. The guard may be a solid or segmented bar
that extends generally
parallel to the at least one blade. The guard may comprise a skin-engaging
member (e.g., a plurality
of fins) in front of the blades for stretching the skin during a shaving
stroke. The skin-engaging
member may, for example, be insert injection molded or co-injection molded to
the housing. Other
known assembly methods may also be used such as adhering, bonding, attaching,
ultrasonic
welding, or mechanical fastening. The skin-engaging member may be molded from
a softer
material (i.e., lower durometer hardness) than the housing. For example, the
skin-engaging
member may have a Shore A hardness of about 20, 30, or 40 to about 50, 60, or
70. The skin-
engaging member may be made from thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) or rubbers;
examples may
include, but are not limited to silicones, natural rubber, butyl rubber,
nitrile rubber, styrene
butadiene rubber, styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) TPEs, styrene ethylene
butadiene styrene
(SEBS) TPEs (e.g., Kraton),TM polyester TPEs (e.g., Hytrel5m, polyamide TPEs
(PebaTI, polyurethane
TPEs, polyolefin based TPEs, and blends of any of these TPEs (e.g.,
polyester/SEBS blend). In
certain embodiments, the skin-engaging member may comprise Kraiburg HTC
1028/96, HTC
8802/37, HTC 8802/34, or HTC 8802/11 (KRAIBURG TPE GmbH & Co. KG of
Waldkraiburg,
Germany). A softer material for the skin-engaging member may enhance skin
stretching, as well
as provide a more pleasant tactile feel against the skin of the user during a
shaving stroke. A softer
material may also aid in masking the less pleasant feel of the harder material
of the housing and/or
the fins against the skin of the user during a shaving stroke.
The at least one blade may be mounted and secured to the housing by one or
more clips.
Other assembly methods known to those skilled in the art may also be used to
secure and/or mount
the at least one blade to the housing including, but not limited to, wire
wrapping, cold forming, hot
staking, insert molding, ultrasonic welding, and adhering. The clips may
comprise a metal, such
as aluminum for conducting heat and acting as a sacrificial anode to help
prevent corrosion of the
blades. The razor cartridge may have any number of blades depending on the
desired performance
and cost of the razor cartridge. The razor cartridge may have, for example,
one blade, two blades,
three blades, four blades, five blades, six blades, seven blades, or even more
blades. Once the
blades have become dulled (or damaged) the consumer may disengage the razor
cartridge from the
skin interconnect member and replace the used razor cartridge with a new razor
cartridge.
Date recue/ date received 2022-02-18
10
The cap of the razor cartridge may be a separate molded or extruded component
that is
mounted to the housing. The cap may be, for example, a shaving aid filled
reservoir or an extruded
lubrication strip. The cap may be, for example, a plastic or metal bar to
support the skin and define
the shaving plane. The cap may be molded or extruded from the same material as
the housing or
may be molded or extruded from a more lubricious shaving aid composite that
has one or more
water-leachable shaving aid materials to provide increased comfort during a
shave stroke.
The shaving aid composite may comprise a water-insoluble polymer and a skin-
lubricating
water-soluble polymer. Suitable water-insoluble polymers which may be used
include, but are not
limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, butadiene-styrene
copolymer (e.g., medium
and high impact polystyrene), polyacetal, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
copolymer, ethylene
vinyl acetate copolymer and blends such as polypropylene/polystyrene blend,
may have a high
impact polystyrene (i.e., Polystyrene-butadiene), such as Mobil 4324 (Mobil
Corporation).
Suitable skin lubricating water-soluble polymers may include polyethylene
oxide, polyvinyl
pyrrolidone, polyacrylamide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinyl imidazoline,
and
polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate. Other water-soluble polymers may include the
polyethylene
TM TM
oxides generally known as POLYOX (available from Union Carbide Corporation) or
ALKOX
(available from Meisei Chemical Works, Kyota, Japan). These polyethylene
oxides may have
molecular weights of about 100,000 to 6 million, for example, about 300,000 to
5 million. The
polyethylene oxide may comprise a blend of about 40 to 80% of polyethylene
oxide having an
average molecular weight of about 5 million (e.g., POLY0mCOAGULANT) and about
60 to 20%
of polyethylene oxide having an average molecular weight of about 300,000
(e.g., POLYOZWSR-
N-750). The polyethylene oxide blend may also contain up to about 10% by
weight of a low
molecular weight (i.e., molecular weight of less than about 10,000)
polyethylene glycol such as
PEG-100.
The shaving aid composite may also include a complex of a skin-soothing agent
with a
cylcodextrin, low molecular weight water-soluble release enhancing agents such
as polyethylene
glycol (e.g., 1-10% by weight), water-swellable release enhancing agents such
as cross-linked
polyacrylics (e.g., 2-7% by weight), colorants, antioxidants, preservatives,
microbicidal agents,
beard softeners, astringents, depilatories, medicinal agents, conditioning
agents, moisturizers,
cooling agents, and the like.
Date recue/ date received 2022-02-18
11
The razor cartridge may or may not be the removable type and may be of any
suitable size
and shape and comprises a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a
front side, and a back
side. The cartridge comprises one or more blades with one or more cutting
edges mounting to the
housing. The cartridge includes a front blade mounted to the housing toward a
front side. The
front blade is the blade most proximal to the front side of the housing.
The cartridge also desirably comprises at least one handle engaging surface,
preferably in
the form of at least one opening or aperture in the housing. The opening is
disposed in front of the
front blade and the at least one opening extends through the housing from a
top surface of the
housing to a bottom surface of the housing.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge opening
desirably has a
funnel-like shape and extends through the cartridge (e.g., from a top surface
of the cartridge to a
bottom surface of the cartridge). Due to the tapered nature of the funnel
shape, there is a difference
in the size of the opening. Desirably, the funnel shape is oriented such that
the opening is larger
on the bottom surface of the cartridge than at the top surface of the
cartridge. The razor cartridge
disclosed herein can include the razor cartridge disclosed in co-owned, co-
pending US Patent
No. 11/154,999.
The razor cartridge may be attached to the handle by engaging the razor
cartridge with the
at least one skin interconnect member on the handle. The bottom side of the
opening on the back
side of the razor cartridge engages with a corresponding top application
surface or surfaces on the
at least one skin interconnect member of the handle. As the skin interconnect
member is pushed
through the opening, the skin interconnect member approaches the opening on
the top surface of
the cartridge. The skin interconnect member is substantially encased within
the opening in the
razor cartridge. The opening shape is substantially similar to the shape of
the skin interconnect
member such that the skin interconnect member fits snugly and substantially
does not move within
the opening. In this way, the handle and the cartridge connection is robust
and secure to provide a
safe environment during shaving. If the opening in the cartridge is funnel
shaped, the skin
interconnect member is also desirably substantially funnel shaped in a
complementary or
conformal manner.
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The razor cartridge may pivot between limits and ordinarily may be biased
toward a
preferred neutral angular position vis-a-vis the handle. The pivot limits and
biasing may be
accomplished by any means known in the art, including mechanical limits.
The top or application surface of the skin interconnect member may or may not
be on the
same plane as the blades or the top surface of the razor cartridge.
The skin interconnect member provides the pivot mechanism for the razor system
after the
skin interconnect member is engaged with the cartridge. The skin interconnect
member does not
pivot relative to the cartridge housing.
The razor cartridge may be mechanically aligned with the
corresponding/opposing at least
one skin interconnect member. The direction of the force between the opposing
skin interconnect
members (e.g., between the razor cartridge and the at least one skin
interconnect member) may be
generally transverse to the force required to remove and attach the razor
cartridge with the at least
one skin interconnect member (e.g., which may be generally parallel to the
elongated gripping
portion of the handle).
As shown in FIG 1A, the handle 12 may include at least one skin interconnect
member 20.
The skin interconnect member 20 is an element that is disposed generally
transverse to the
longitudinal axis of the handle 12. The skin interconnect member 20 has a top
surface or skin
interfacing surface 22 that allows a direct interface or a view of the handle
with the skin, with or
without contacting the skin. The skin interconnect member 20 is in pivotal
relation to the proximal
end portion 16 of the handle via a pivot mechanism 30 (shown in 2B-2C and 3B-
3C and in greater
detail in FIG. 5). The skin interconnect member 20 is in a pivotal relation to
the handle and pivots
about an axis Al that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the
handle 12.
The at least one skin interconnect member 20 preferably comprises a skin
interfacing
surface 22, which interfaces with the skin (e.g., by application of a fluid or
heat) without
obstruction from the razor cartridge 15, but which may or may not directly
contact the skin. The
at least one skin interconnect member 20 may provide one or more benefits to a
user's skin. For
example, the at least one skin interconnect member 20 may include a fluid
dispensing element, a
thermal element which heats or cools the skin, or a combination thereof. The
skin interconnect
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member 20 may also comprise other consumer benefits such as a skin agitation
or scrubbing
element, a hair trimmer, an epilator. or any combination thereof. The fluid
element or the thermal
element or both may be provided within the at least one skin interconnect
member 20. The fluid
element or the thermal element or both may be released from a surface of the
at least one skin
interconnect member.
As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the razor can he configured to
deliver benefits to
the skin of the user by extending the handle 12 through an opening 100 (shown
in FIG. 1B) in the
blade cartridge unit 15 to enable handle benefit delivery components to be
close to the skin. The
skin interconnect member 20, which provides the handle 12 a direct but not
necessarily contacting
interface to the skin, is in pivotal relation to the proximal end portion 18.
As shown in one
embodiment in FIG. 1A, a top skin interfacing surface 22 of the skin
interconnect member 20 of
the handle 12 may form a portion of a top surface 67 of the razor cartridge
15. As noted, the top
skin interfacing surface 22 may or may not directly contact a user's skin.
Two types of non-limiting embodiments of razors providing for a skin benefit
are disclosed
herein. The first embodiment, shown in FIGs. 2A-2D, belongs to a type of razor
that provides a
benefit to the user by heating or cooling the skin. In FIG. 2A and 2B, views
121A and 121 B
provide top and bottom perspectives of this first embodiment. This first
embodiment can have a
handle 12, a blade cartridge unit 15 that can releasably attach to the handle
12 and can contain one
or more blades 17, and a skin interconnect member 20 which can deliver a heat
skin benefit. The
blade cartridge unit 15 may be detached using the cartridge eject mechanism 39
mounted at the
proximal end 16 of the handle 12. The razor handle 12 may be configured to
rotate the razor
cartridge 15 about an axis of rotation Al using pivot mechanism 30 and about
an axis of rotation
A4 using pivot mechanism 38. A portion of the handle 12 can extend through
blade cartridge unit
15 and be exposed as thermal surface 112, discussed more fully below. As shown
in FIG. lA and
in more detail in FIGs. 2C and 2D, in which the blade cartridge unit 15 has
been removed, thermal
surface 112 is a surface of a skin interconnect member 20 and can be used to
deliver a cooling or
heating benefit to the user during shaving. Heating or cooling of the skin
interconnect member 20
can be achieved by pressing the skin benefit actuator 13, which can be a
depressible button, a touch
sensitive button, or a sliding button, and which closes a powered circuit
inside handle 12 to a circuit
inside the skin interconnect member 20. The handle 12 may hold a power source,
such as one or
more batteries (not shown) that supply power to the skin interconnect member
20. Heating or
14
cooling of the skin interconnect member 20 can also be achieved passively such
as by dipping or
running the skin interconnect member 20 under water at a different temperature
than ambient. In
certain embodiments, the skin interconnect member 20 can comprise a metal such
as aluminum or
stainless steel. In certain embodiments, the skin interconnect member 20 can
comprise a high
capacity material such as metal or phase change materials. In certain
embodiments, the skin
interconnect member 20 can comprise high thermal conductivity materials such
as copper,
aluminum, or thermally conductive plastics such as COOLPOLYO. The razor handle
10 disclosed
herein can include the skin interconnect member 20 disclosed co-owned, co-
pending US
Patent No. 10/766,155.
FIGs. 3A-3D show another embodiment of a shaving razor 10 that can provide a
skin
benefit by delivering a fluid to the skin of the user. In FIG. 3A and 3B,
views 122A and 122B
provide top and bottom perspectives of this embodiment. This embodiment can
have a handle 12,
a blade cartridge unit 15 that can releasably attach to the handle 12 and can
contain one or more
.. blades 17, and a skin interconnect member 20 which can provide a skin
benefit by delivering fluid
to the skin of the user. The blade cartridge unit 15 may be detached using the
cartridge eject
mechanism 39 mounted at the proximal end 16 of the handle 12. In the
embodiment shown, the
razor handle 12 is configured to rotate the razor cartridge 15 about an axis
of rotation Al using
pivot mechanism 30. Like skin interfacing surface 22 in FIG. lA and thermal
surface 112 in FIGs.
2B and 2D, a portion of the handle 12 can extend through blade cartridge unit
15 and be exposed
as surface 80. Surface 80 is a surface of a skin interconnect member 20 and
can have openings 78
through which a fluid can be dispensed for skin comfort during shaving. Fluid
flow from the
reservoir in handle 12 can be achieved by pressing the skin benefit actuator
13, which can be a
depressible button, a touch sensitive button, or a sliding button which
activates a pumping
mechanism to push fluid towards and through the skin interconnect member 20.
The pumping
mechanism can include the compression of a fluid reservoir, actuation of a
manual pump, or
activation of a powered pump. The razor handle disclosed herein can include
the skin interconnect
member disclosed in co-owned, co-pending US Publication Nos. 2019/0299440;
2019/0299441;
2019/0299442; 2019/0299467; 2019/0299443; 2019/0299468; 2019/0299444;
2019/0299469
2019/0299445; 2019/0299471; and US Patent No. 10/899,030.
It should be understood providing consumer benefits from the handle 12 of the
present
invention solves the challenge of balancing designing a safe product with good
product integrity
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(e.g.., in cases of accidental drops), delivering the benefit from the handle
12 to skin interfacing
surface 22 of the skin interconnect member 20 around the pivots needed for
shave strokes to closely
track the skin, and fitting the delivery benefit components among the other
functional components
of the handle 12 such as the cartridge eject mechanism 39 and pivot mechanisms
30 and 38
5 discussed in more detail below. Designing a safe product with good
product integrity is a challenge
because by having many, if not most, of the benefit delivery elements disposed
in the handle in the
present invention, the handle can weigh two to three times more than most wet
shaving razor
systems commonly found on the market. For instance, most existing shaving
razor handles weigh
less than 56 grams, and the vast majority weigh less than 45 grams. Handles
that deliver consumer
10 benefits of the present invention may have a mass up to about 120 grams
with preferred mass about
80 grams. In some embodiments, the handle 12 may have a mass of about 57 grams
to about 150
grams and more preferably about 80 grams. Such a handle is considered a
"heavy" handle in the
present invention. The handle embodiment shown in FIGs. 2A-2B has a mass about
75 grams and
the handle embodiment shown in FIGs. 3A-3D. has a mass about 85 grams.
The razor cartridge 15 may connect to the handle 12 when the handle is brought
in
proximity to the razor cartridge and when the skin interconnect member 20 and
razor cartridge
opening 100 are aligned. This configuration prevents, inter alia, reverse
connection of the razor
cartridge to the handle. The configuration also facilitates, inter alia,
quick, easy, intuitive, and safe
connection of the razor cartridge to the handle.
The razor cartridge 15 of FIGs. lA and 1B may be desirably releasably engaged
with the
skin interconnect member 20 to replaceably secure the razor cartridge 15 to
the proximal end
portion 16 of the handle 12. The razor cartridge may include a housing 32, a
guard 34, a cap 36,
and at least one blade 17. The at least one skin interconnect member 20 may be
released from the
razor cartridge 15 by the exertion of force. In addition, the at least one
skin interconnect member
20 may he released by other suitable mechanisms or by other suitable
mechanisms in combination
with the exertion of force. The at least one skin interconnect member may be
released from the
razor cartridge via, for example, a mechanical release mechanism.
The mechanical release mechanism 39, shown in FIGs. 1A, 2A, and 3A for
example, may
extend from the proximal end portion 16 of the handle and comprise an eject
button that may be
included within a portion of the handle 12. The user may mechanically release
the razor cartridge
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15 from the at least one skin interconnect member 20 by pushing or actuating
the button. The
mechanical cartridge release mechanism 39 may then, for example, push on the
at least one skin
interconnect member 20. The razor cartridge 15 will no longer connect with the
at least one skin
interconnect member 20. The razor cartridge 15 may then be released from the
handle 12.
Most existing razors have a mechanical cartridge release mechanism 39 mounted
within a
millimeter of the razor cartridge 15 when attached to the handle 12 and
require the eject button to
travel less than 2.5mm to detach the cartridge 15. Unlike existing razors, the
mechanism 39 of the
razor 10 shown in FIG. 1A is mounted about 3mm from the razor cartridge 15 and
requires an eject
button to travel about 5mm to detach the cartridge.
The skin interconnect member 20 has a desirable length from about 20 to about
40 mm and
a width of about 2 mm to about 5 mm. The skin interconnect member 20 desirably
has a volume
greater than about 300 mm3. The length and width and minimum volume are
feasibly chosen to
provide enough area and volume for the consumer benefit to be delivered
effectively to a user's
skin. The top surface area 22 of the skin interconnect member 20 ranges from
about 40 mm2 to
about 120 mm2. preferably about 80 mm2 to about 85 mm2.
The at least one skin interconnect member 20 may be comprised of any suitable
size and
shape. For example, the at least one skin interconnect member 20 may comprise
a curved surface,
a flat surface, or any combination thereof. The at least one skin interconnect
member 20 can have
a shape beneficially conducive to both attaching to the blade cartridge unit
15 and facilitating the
delivery of a skin comfort benefit from the handle 12 to and through a blade
cartridge unit 15
attached to the handle 10.
The shape of the at least one skin interconnect member 20 can alternatively be
described
as a "funnel," or as "tapered," or a "trapezoidal prism-shaped." As understood
from the description
herein, the description "trapezoidal prism" is general with respect to an
overall visual impression
the pivoting head. For example, FIG. 4A-D shows schematic representations 123A
and 123B of
trapezoidal prism-shaped elements and shows a shape having a relatively wide
upper face (or
opening) 25, a relatively narrow lower face 24, two long major faces 26, and
two end faces 28 that
are generally trapezoidal-shaped. FIG. 4 also shows a close-up side view 123C
of one embodiment
of the skin interconnect member 20 of the handle of the present invention
showing a generally
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trapezoidal prism or prism-like shape 45 of the skin interconnect member 20
and an isolated view
124D of components of one embodiment of skin interconnect member 20 that
create a general
"trapezoidal prism" shape.
The description "trapezoidal prism" is used herein as the best description for
the overall
visual appearance of the skin interconnect member but the description does not
imply any particular
geometric or dimensional requirements beyond what is described herein. That
is, the skin
interconnect member, including the cover member, need not have complete edges
or surfaces.
Further, edges need not be unbroken and straight, and sides need not be
unbroken and flat.
Alternately, a trapezoidal prism, or prism-like shape may generally signify a
multiple-sided body
where one pair of opposing faces tapers from a larger size to a smaller size.
The larger size face is
desirably disposed towards a handle and the smaller size face is desirably
disposed towards a razor
cartridge. In this way, a tapered shape of the skin interconnect member in an
embodiment of the
present invention is desirably coupled with a corresponding tapered shape in
the razor cartridge to
engage the handle with the cartridge. The corresponding shapes are more
intuitive for users, can
allow for better attachment and detachment, and can require lower forces
during attachment and
detachment while also allowing for good retention during shaving and trimming.
Due to the
cartridge surface area being smaller (e.g., at the top surface of the skin
interconnect member), a
tapered shape for the skin interconnect member can provide for a larger volume
and thus, a larger
benefit for the user.
Also contemplated are any other feasible shapes, prism and otherwise, such as
a triangular
prism, a sphere, an ellipsoid, a cylinder, a quadrilateral, a parallelogram, a
rectangle, a square, a
bar, or any combination thereof.
To join or mate the handle to the razor cartridge, the cartridge desirably has
a corresponding
shape that is similar to that of the skin interconnect member within which the
skin interconnect
member is disposed. The skin interconnect member may latch to the razor
cartridge to secure the
handle to the cartridge. In one embodiment, the razor cartridge is releasably
engaged with the at
least one skin interconnect member to replaceably secure the razor cartridge
to the proximal end
portion of the handle.
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In FIGs. 5A-B, components of the skin interconnect member 20 and the pivoting
mechanism 30 that enable rotation about axis Al for the embodiment are shown
in more detail.
The embodiment shown is the razor handle 12 of FIGs. 3A-3D. In close-up view
124A and
exploded view 124B, the skin interconnect member 20 includes a base element 58
and a cover 54
and the cover 54 is disposed over a base 58. The cover 54 comprises a top
surface 52 which may
be a planar application surface for application of a benefit such as fluid or
thermal benefits to a
user's skin (e.g., via a cartridge). Top surface 52 may have a rim 56 along
its perimeter. The rim
feature is used as an engagement feature to mate with the cartridge.
Additionally, or alternatively,
one or more ports 53 may be disposed on the application surface for a fluid to
be dispensed
therethrough. The handle 12 desirably has a pair of proximal arms 27 at a
proximal end 16 and
the skin interconnect member or the handle may include a pair of bracket arms
59 connected to
these proximal arms 27. Exploded view 124B of FIG. 5B shows that the pivot
mechanism 30 for
the skin interconnect member 20 to provide motion around axis Al relative to
the handle 12
desirably comprises a bearing surface 53 (e.g., recessed portion, cavity)
within the skin
interconnect member 20 and a corresponding bearing surface 57 on one or more
arms 59 and a
spring return element 55 having one or more springs. The motion around this
and other axes (e.g.,
rotational axis A4 or rotational axis A3 which is discussed in more detail
later) in the present
invention may be enabled by bearings which may lie directly along an axis such
as pin bearing or
a shaft, or they may offset from the axis of rotation, creating by a virtual
pivot. Virtual pivot
bearings include shell bearings and linkages.
The at least one skin interconnect member 20 may be in pivotal relation to the
proximal
end portion 16 of the handle 12 by, for example, by creating a pivot mechanism
by assembling
individual components as shown in FIG. 5, by creating a flexural pivot using a
technique such as
co-injection molding the at least one skin interconnect member with the handle
or a portion of the
handle, or by creating a bearing by press fitting or force fitting the skin
interconnect member into
the handle or vice versa.
In FIGs. 6A-6D a graphical layout of the razor 10 is shown with the handle 12
and the blade
cartridge unit 15 of the present invention in an un-deflected, unloaded rest
position. In general, the
skin contacting surface 67 of the blade cartridge unit 15 usually lies on or
within a few millimeters
of a cartridge plane PL1 when the blade cartridge unit 15 is at its rest
position. In general, a plane
PL2 may be oriented at an angle to the cartridge plane PL1 that lies along an
approximate mid-
19
plane of the handle main body 21. This PL1-to-PL2 included angle Al2 between
planes PL1 and PL2
may range from about -60 degrees to about +90 degrees. A narrower preferential
range of the F'L1-
to-PL2 included angle is about -45 degrees to about +45 degrees. The figures
of the present
invention show a PL1-to-PL2 included angle about +16 degrees. In general, a
plane PL3 may be
oriented at an angle to the main handle body 21 midplane PL2 that lies along
an approximate mid-
plane of the handle neck area 23. This PL2-to-PL3 included angle A23 between
planes PL2 and PL3
may range from about -100 degrees to about +100 degrees. A narrower
preferential range of the
PL2-to-PL3 included angle is about -45 degrees to about +90 degrees. The
figures of the present
invention show a PL2-to-PL3 included angle of about +21 degrees. In general, a
plane PM can be
defined perpendicular to planes PL1, PL2, and PL3 that lies longitudinally
along the handle 12 at
the approximate mid-plane of the handle 12 and the blade cartridge unit 15.
As shown in FIGs. 6C-6D additional axes of rotation or directions of linear
motion for
various components of the handle of the present invention can be generally
defined using PL2,
PL3, and PL4. An axis A2 along the handle main body 21 can be defined as the
intersection of
planes PL2 and PL4; and an axis A3 along the handle neck area 23 can be
defined as the intersection
of planes PL3 and PL4. Another axis A4 within the handle neck area 23 can be
defined
perpendicular to plane PL3 and laying upon plane PL4. Another axis A5 within
the handle main
body 23 can be defined perpendicular to plane PL2 and laying upon plane PL4 as
shown later in
FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B.
As shown in FIGs. 2C-2D, 3C-D. and 5A-5B, the pivot mechanism 30 (e.g., spring
return
element, bracket arms) that provides a pitch type movement about pivot axis Al
is most proximal
to the skin interconnect member 20. In accordance with the present invention,
the handle 12 and
the skin interconnect member 20 may rotate around other axes in addition to
axis Al as shown in
FIG 6C. Other embodiments may be configured to rotate the skin interconnect
member about axes
Al, A2, A3, A4, AS, or any combination thereof. For instance, axes of rotation
in a shaving razor
relative to the handle include not only a pitch type motion about axis Al, but
also a roll motion
about axes A2 or A3 and yaw motion about A4 or A5 as shown in FIGs. 6C-6D and
FIGs. 12A
and 12B.
In one embodiment shown in FIGs. 1A and 2B, the pivot mechanism 38 that
provides the
side to side (yaw) type rotational movement of the skin interconnect member
relative to the handle
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along Axis A4 comprises a bottom pod 19 with a spring return element (e.g., a
spring, disposed
within pod, not shown). Similar movement is found in the GILLETTE FlexballTM
razor. In
another embodiment, a structure that provides an alternative roll rotational
movement of the skin
interconnect member relative to the handle along axis A3 may comprise a
rolling mechanism such
5 as found in the Gillette Venus SwirlTM razor.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view 90 of the razor system 10 showing a pivot
point region R
in accordance with the present invention. The skin interconnect member 20 is
joined or latched to
the razor cartridge 15 to secure the handle 12 to the cartridge. As depicted,
the front direction is
10 toward the front of the cartridge (e.g., towards the front blade) while
the back direction is towards
the back side of the cartridge (e.g., towards the lubricating strip). Further,
the upwards direction
is directionally towards the top surface of the cartridge while the downwards
direction is
directionally towards the bottom surface of the cartridge. A pivot point is
generally a point on an
axis of rotation. In this embodiment, pivot point P is disposed on a location
of the pivot axis Al
15 that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis A2 or longitudinal
axis A3 of the handle 12
when the razor cartridge 15 is its rest position. The pivot point P is also
disposed on the mid-plane
PL4 of the handle main body 21 and the razor cartridge 15 in its rest position
perpendicular to this
axis Al. For good shave performance, the pivot point P is preferably located
in a region R which
is up to about 3.5mm in front of the front blade edge 82, up to about 11min
behind the front blade
20 edge, up to about lmm above the shave plane S, and up to about 2.5 mm
below the shave plane S.
The portion of the region R above the shave plane S is generally a portion
that is disposed into the
skin. The portion of the region R below the shave plane S is generally a
portion that is disposed
away from the skin. A pivot point location outside of the razor cartridge or
the skin interconnect
member may be created by a virtual pivot.
FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of a razor system 100 having an
application surface
plane B at the top surface 88 of the skin interconnect member 20. Plane B is
substantially parallel
to shave plane S at the top surface 88 of the skin interconnect member 20. A
plane Q perpendicular
to the shave plane S intersects plane B at point C. In one embodiment shown in
FIG. 9, distal point
C is desirably at a rear corner of the skin interconnect member's top surface
88. Pivot point P is
in the same location as in FIG. 8.
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FIG. 9 depicts an alternative cross-sectional view 110 of the system of FIG. 9
showing the
skin interconnect member 20 and handle 12, but without the razor cartridge 15.
As in FIG. 8, skin
interconnect member 20 includes an application surface plane B that is
substantially planar to the
top surface 88 at a top most point 85. Point C is formed at the intersection
of Plane B and Plane
Q. Plane Q is defined as perpendicular to plane B and lies on the rearward
most point 87 closest
to the rear surface 89 of the skin interconnect member 20 wherein the point 87
is within 2mm of
plane B. Preferably, plane B is substantially parallel to the shave plane S of
the handle's
corresponding razor cartridge. Point C may or may not be disposed on the skin
interconnect
member or the razor cartridge in the present invention. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 10, point
C is not a physical point on a surface of the skin interconnect member 20. It
is noted that pivot
point P2 appears in the same location as in FIG. 8 but the pivot mechanism
about pivot point P2 is
not formed by any cartridge components, is not formed by joining the cartridge
20 to the handle
12, but rather the pivot point P2 is formed completely by components contained
within the handle.
For good shave performance, the pivot point P2 is preferably located in a
region R2 which
is up to about 2.00 mm in front of point C (towards the front side of the
cartridge), up to about 12.5
mm behind point C, up to about 2 mm above the member plane B, and up to about
2.5 mm below
the member plane B. The portion of the region R2 above the member plane B is
generally a portion
that is disposed into the skin. The portion of the region R2 below the member
plane B is generally
a portion that is disposed away from the skin. A pivot point location outside
of the razor cartridge
may be created by a virtual pivot.
To meet the different habits, behaviors, and shaving benefit preferences of
consumers, a
razor system array that comprises variety of razor handles, and razor
cartridges is required,
preferably with the flexibility to attach a wide variety of handles that have
skin interconnect
members to a comparatively smaller number of corresponding razor cartridges.
Moreover, to avoid
consumer confusion and lower manufacturing costs, it is preferable if a
shaving razor system array
can be designed such that any cartridge can be releasably attached to any
handle while delivering
both the benefit from the handle through the skin interconnect member and
providing good shaving
performance in terms comfort, closeness, and efficiency.
In FIG.10A-H, schematics of the top surface views of the razor cartridge 15
and skin
interconnect member 20 (i.e. similar to view 120A of FIG. 1B except including
the skin
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interconnect member 20) Each view shows the cap 36, guard 34, corresponding
cartridge shape 47
that mates to the skin interconnect member 20, and blades 17 include the first
blade edge 82. In
the views 125A-125D and 126A-126D shown in FIG.10, the corresponding cartridge
shape 47 in
the razor cartridge 15 that mates or joins the shape of the skin interconnect
member 20 of the razor
handle 12 may be located at any position within the guard 34 of the razor
cartridge. These positions
even include the razor cartridge configuration shown in views 125D and 126D
where a section of
the front guard wall of the razor cartridge 15 does not fully enclose the
perimeter of the skin
interconnect member 20. In these cartridge configurations, a remnant front
guard wall portion 48
of the guard 34 will remain in front of at least a part of the skin
interconnect member 20, enabling
the razor cartridge 15 to be mated or latched to the skin interconnect member
20.
A shaving razor system array that consists of a variety of different razor
handles with skin
interconnect and a variety of different razor cartridges where any cartridge
fits any handle
preferably has the corresponding cartridge shape 47 preferably positioned as
close to the first blade
82 as possible. Such a location can enable good delivery of a variety of
handle benefits through the
skin interconnect member 20 and good shave performance using a variety of
cartridges. The
embodiments having locations of the cartridge shape 47 shown in views 125A-
125D may be
preferred to embodiments shown in views 126A-126D.
Moreover, because razor handles, and razor cartridges are designed to work
optimally
together, a shaving razor system array that consists of a variety of different
razor handles having
skin interconnect members and a variety of different razor cartridges where
any cartridge fits any
handle preferably has a fixed distance between point C shown in FIGs. 8 and 9
and key cartridge
features contained within region R. Two non-limiting razor cartridge
embodiments are shown in
FIGs. 11A and 11B that work in any cartridge fits any handle using a skin
interconnect member.
View 120 corresponds to a 5-bladed razor cartridge while view 130 shows a 3-
bladed razor
cartridge. In both views, distances parallel to the shave plane S between
point C and key features
of the razor cartridge are defined including D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, and D7.
D1 is the distance
parallel to the shave plane S between point C and closest guard point 99 on
the guard 34 to the first
blade edge 82. D2 is the distance parallel to the shave plane S between point
P and the first blade
edge 82. D3 is the distance parallel to the shave plane S between point C and
the second blade edge
83. D4 is the averaged distance parallel to the shave plane S between point C
and all the blades
edges of the cartridge. The location of the averaged distance is given by
point 84. In view 130 of
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FIG. 11B, D4 equals D3 and point 84 lies on the second blade edge 83 because
the razor cartridge
15 contains only 3 blades. D5 is the distance parallel to the shave plane S
between point C and the
last blade edge 85. D6 is the distance parallel to the shave plane S between
point C and the close
cap point 86 on the cap 36 to the last blade edge 85. D7 is the distance
parallel to the shave plane
.. S between point C and the tallest cap point 81 on the cap 36. Depending on
the design of the
shaving razor system array in which any cartridge fit any handle, D1, D2, D3,
D4, D5, D6, D7 or
any combination thereof may be held about constant for all combinations of
cartridges and handles.
Preferred distances for D1 are about 0.5 mm to about 2mm, for D2 are about 0.9
mm to about 2.4
mm, and for D3 are about 1.3 mm to about 3.0 mm.
The at least on skin interconnect member 20 may be in pivotal relation to
either the
proximal end portion 16, the distal end portions 18, or both the proximal end
and distal end portions
of the handle 12. The at least one skin interconnect member 20 may be in
pivotal relation to the
handle 12 via, for example, a spring, a joint, a hinge, a bearing, or any
other suitable connection
that enables the at least one skin interconnect member to be in pivotal
relation to the handle. The
at least one skin interconnect member may be in pivotal relation to the handle
12 via mechanisms
that contain one or more springs and one or more sliding contact bearings,
such as a pin pivot, a
shell bearing, a linkage, a revolute joint, a revolute hinge, a prismatic
slider, a prismatic joint, a
cylindrical joint, a spherical joint, a ball-and-socket joint, a planar joint,
a slot joint, a reduced slot
joint, or any other suitable joint, or one or more springs and one or more
rolling element bearings,
such as a ball bearing, a cylindrical pin bearing, or rolling element thrust
bearing. Sliding contact
bearings can typically have friction levels of 0.1 to 0.3. Rolling element
bearings can typically
have friction of 0.001 to 0.01. Lower friction bearings are preferred the
further a pivot mechanism
is offset from its axis of rotation to assure smooth motion and prevent the
bearing from sticking.
Typically, pivot mechanisms about axis Al allow rotational motions ranging
from about 0
degrees from the cartridge rest position to about 50 degrees. A rotational
stiffness for a pivot
mechanism about axis Al may be measured by deflecting the pivot 25 degrees and
measuring the
required torque to maintain this position. Additionally, the torque levels at
50 degrees of rotation
are generally less than 20 N-mm. The rotational stiffness (torque measured
about the axis of
rotation divided by degrees of angular rotation) associated with the Al pivot
axis is generally less
than 0.3 N-mm per degree of rotation and preferably between 0.05 N-mm per
degree of rotation
and 0.18 N-m per degree of rotation.
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Typically, pivot mechanisms about axis A2 or A3 (shown in FIG. 6C) allow
rotational
motions ranging from -40 degrees to +40 degrees. Pivot mechanisms about axis
A4 (shown in 1A,
2A, and 6C) or axis A5 (shown in F1G.12B) typically allow rotational motions
ranging from -20
degrees to +20 degrees. A rotational stiffness for a pivot mechanism about
axis A2, axis A3, axis
A4, or axis AS may be measured by deflecting the pivot -5 degrees and +5
degrees and measuring
the required torques to maintain this position. The rotational stiffness may
be calculated by dividing
the absolute value of the difference in these measured torques by the 10
degrees of angular motion.
The rotational stiffness associated with pivot mechanisms about A2, A3, A4, or
A5 may generally
.. range from about 0.8 to about 2.5 N-mm per degree of rotation.
In FIG. 5A, components of the skin interconnect member 20 and the pivoting
mechanism
30 that enable rotation about axis Al for the embodiment were shown in detail.
The proximal end
portion 16 of the handle 12 was connected to the skin interconnect member 20
by a pair of bracket
arms 59, a spring return element 55, and the benefit delivery connection 71.
In the embodiments
shown in FIG. 5B, the spring return element is made of a metal. A pivoting
mechanism that
comprises a spring return element made of a stress-relaxation resistant
material such as metal,
polyetheretherketone, or silicone rubber is preferable because it can help
prevent the razor 10 or
razor handle 12 from taking a "set" ¨ permanently deforming at deflected angle
when the razor 10
or razor handle 12 is stored improperly due to the stress relaxation of the
components that connect
the skin interconnect member to the proximal end of the handle.
Moreover, since the benefit delivery connection 71, such as the flexible
circuit element
shown in FIG. 2B and fluid delivery element in FIGs. 3B and 5A of a pivot
mechanism, is typically
comprised of materials that stress relax, it is preferable if the rotational
stiffness of the spring return
element made from the stress-relaxation-resist material is greater than 50%
the rotational stiffness
of the pivot mechanism. The rotational stiffness of the spring return element
alone can be measured
by cutting out the benefit delivery connection 71 at its points of contact
with the skin interconnect
member 20 and the proximal end 16 of the handle 12. An alternate way of
stating this preferable
configuration is rotational stiffness of the pivot mechanism is greater than
twice the rotational
stiffness of said pivot mechanism with said benefit delivery connection
disconnected at the
proximal end of the handle and at the skin interconnect member, and preferably
greater than five
times the rotational stiffness of said pivot mechanism with said benefit
delivery connection
25
disconnected at the proximal end of the handle and at the skin interconnect
member. This
preferable configuration greatly reduces the probability and conditions under
which the razor 10
or razor handle 12 can take a "set". The rotational stiffness of a pivot
mechanism (with or without
benefit delivery connection) about axis Al, axis A2, axis A3, axis A4, axis
AS, or any combination
thereof can be measured by the procedure outlined above.
Having a skin interconnect member in a razor does not inhibit the construction
and order
of connection of razor components. The present invention contemplates that the
order of
connection of the various components of the shaving razor may vary while also
enabling motion
about axes Al, A2, A3, A4, and/or AS. The components of the shaving razor
generally include
the razor cartridge 15, the handle 12, the skin interconnect member 20, and
the mechanisms or
structures that provide the motion about axes Al, A2, A3, A4, and/or AS. The
mechanisms and
components thereof, that provide these motions are preferably found in the
handle.
In one embodiment, shown in view 127A of FIG. 12A the order of physical
connection of
these shaving razor components, starting furthest away from the distal end
portion 18 of the handle
12, is (1) the razor cartridge 15, (2) the skin interconnect member 20, (3)
the mechanism 30 to
enable rotation about axis Al (e.g., the components such as spring and bracket
arms shown in the
embodiment described in FIG. 5B) (4) mechanism 38 to enable rotation about
axis A4 (e.g. such
as the components of the GILLETTE FlexballTM razor and the components
disclosed in co-
owned, co-pending US Publication No. 2019/0366573,
and (5) the handle 12. That is the razor cartridge 15 is connected to the skin
interconnect member 20, the skin interconnect member 20 is connected to the
axis Al mechanism
30, the axis A4 mechanism 38 is connected to the axis Al mechanism 30, which
is then connected
to the handle 12. An embodiment that enables motion about the axis AS can
beneficially enable
the razor cartridge to more closely follow the contours of the skin during a
shave stroke. View
127B of FIG. 12B shows another embodiment of the present invention with
additional mechanisms
to enable rotation about specific axes of rotation ¨ specifically mechanism 92
to enable rotation
about axis A3, mechanism 93 to enable rotation about axis A2, and mechanism 94
to enable
rotation about axis AS. Mechanisms 38, 92, and 93 are each located in the
handle neck area 23
and mechanism 93 and 94 are located in the handle main body area 21. The
addition of mechanisms
92, 93, and 94 or the replacement of other mechanisms with 92, 93, and 94 can
provide flexibility
Date recue/ date received 2022-02-18
CA 03091483 2020-08-17
WO 2019/191157 PCMJS2019/024175
26
in design, compound angles of motion to enable the razor cartridge 15 to
better follow the skin
during a shaving stroke, and smaller, simpler mechanisms.
Referring to FIG. 12B and the embodiment shown in view 127A, the order of
physical
connection of these razor components, starting furthest away from the distal
end portion 18 of the
handle 12 is (1) the razor cartridge 15, (2) the skin interconnect member 20,
(3) the mechanism 38
to enable rotation about axis A4 which may include the bottom pod 19 and a
spring return element,
(4) the mechanism to enable rotation about axis Al, and (5) the handle 12.
That is the razor
cartridge is connected to the skin interconnect member, the skin interconnect
member is connected
to the axis A4 mechanism 38, the axis A4 mechanism 38 is connected to the axis
Al mechanism
30, which is then connected to the handle 12. The axis Al mechanism 30 can
have a similar design
to that described in FIG. 5 including the bearings, spring return element and
bracket arms.
In views 127B-127E of FIG. 12B, other embodiments are shown with the order of
physical
connection, starting furthest away from the distal end portion 18 of the
handle 12, of the first three
of the razors components is (1) the razor cartridge 15, (2) the skin
interconnect member 20, and
(3) a mechanism that does not enable rotation solely about axis Al. The axis
Al mechanisms 30
of the non-limiting embodiments in FIG. 12B can be in the handle neck area 21
(views 127A and
127B), the handle main body 23 (views 127D and 127E), or the junction between
the handle neck
area 21 and the handle main body 23 (view 127C). Because of the separation
between the skin
interconnect member 20 and axis Al mechanism 30, these embodiments can make it
feasible to
have a rotational movement (e.g., a yaw motion or a roll motion) closer to the
cartridge. This order
of physical connection can enable simpler pivot mechanisms, more modular razor
designs and
notably, skin interconnect members with larger volumes.
Alternatively, or additionally, the axis Al, axis A2, axis A3, and/or axis A4
mechanisms
may be combined in any order of connection or combined into one unit. The
combinations of
different order of connection of mechanisms about different axes of motion can
provide flexibility
in the razor system design to deliver good shave performance and benefits from
the handle via the
skin interconnect element. The combination into one unit may be referred to as
providing a
universal type pivoting motion.
27
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being
strictly
limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise
specified, each such
dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range
surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is
intended to mean "about
.. 40 mm."
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent
or application
and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority
or benefit thereof, is
hereby referenced in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise
limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art
with respect to any
invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination
with any other
reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.
Further, to the extent
that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any
meaning or definition
of the same term in a document referenced, the meaning or definition assigned
to
.. that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated
and described,
it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and
modifications can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is
therefore intended to cover
in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the
scope of this
invention.
Date recue/ date received 2022-02-18
